AY Honors/Trees - Advanced/Answer Key
1. Have the Trees Honor.
2. Collect, identify, press, and mount leaves of 35 different species of trees.
3. Separately collect, press, mount, and label specimens that demonstrate the following terms:
- a. Serrate
- The margins of the leaf have forward-pointing teeth.
- b. Doubly serrate
- The serrations on the margin of the leaf have serrations on them.
- c. Entire
- The entire margin of the leaf is smooth. (sassafras, pawpaw)
- d. Crenate
- The margins of the leaf have rounded teeth.
- e. Dentate
- The margins of the leaf have symmetrical teeth.
- f. Lobe
- The edges of the leaf have large, smooth indentations that do not go all the way to the centerline. (oaks)
- g. Incise
- h. Whorled
- i. Opposite
- Leaves are paired on opposite sides of the stem. (sumacs, hickorys, walnut)
- j. Alternate
- Leaves are not across from one another on the stem, but are offset relative to one another.
- k. Pinnately compound
- A leaf consisting of multiple leaflets. (sumac, locust)
- l. Triple compound (if possible)
- Like pinnately compund leaves except the leaflets have leaflets of their own. (devil's walking stick, mimosa).
4a. Describe the advantages in using the Latin or scientific names.
Latins names (such as Quercus alba which is white oak) are useful because they are absolutley unique for each species. Thus, the Latin name can be used in international settings without ambiguity. Sometimes a given species will go by one name on one region, and by another name in another region.
For example, the Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera) is also known as mock orange, hedge-apple, horse-apple, hedge ball, bois d'arc, bodark (in Texas), and bow wood. A common slang term for it is also monkey brain or monkey ball due to its brainlike appearance.
Bows are made from many types of wood, including yew and red elm, so "bow wood" could mean any of these. However, Maclura pomifera means only one thing.
4b. Of what use are the two parts of a scientific name?
The first part of the scientific name is the genus, and the second part is the species. We have already discussed Quercus alba - the white oak, so let's expand on that. There are many, many differnt species of oak, and they are all in the genus Quercus. All these trees produce acorns, and they are closely related to one another. Grouping them into a common genus recognizes their similarities, while separating them by species recognizes their differences.
5. Name six families of trees in the angiosperm class and three families in the gymnosperm class.
6. Know and describe the function of leaves in the life of a tree.
7. Name the families of trees in your area which have opposite leaves.
8. Define the following terms:
- a. Stipule
- b. Petiole
- c. Blade
- d. Pitch
- e. Heartwood
- f. Sapwood
- g. Springwood
- h. Summerwood
- i. Annual ring
- j. Cambium
- k. Xylem
- l. Phloem
9. What families of trees have:
- a. Thorns
- b. Catkins
- c. Winged seeds
- d. Acorns
- e. Pods
- f. Capsules
- h. Berries
- g. Nuts
